Hells yea, I love me some early 90s New Japan. They had everything.... main events that give you that special feeling, great Jr. Heavyweights, Americans frequently invading, and the great wrestlers of New Japan still in their prime. I am also continuing my attempt to review every New Japan January Tokyo Dome event, one show at a time. Here we have The Steiners, Sting, Ron Simmons, and Dustin Rhodes invading from WCW, Genichiro Tenryu and Ishikawa invading from WAR, and the Great Muta against Masahiro Chono! Here is the full line-up:

El Samurai, Iizuka, and Akira Nogami vs. Koki Kitahara, Masao Orihara, and Nobukazu Hirai
This is a New Japan vs. WAR match. El Samurai and Orihara start things off. Tie-up, waistlock by El Samurai but Orihara gets out of it. They trade wrist-locks and Orihara hits an armdrag takedown. Back up, they go into a Test of Strength, El Samurai gets Orihara to the mat but Orihara does a kip up to return to his feet. Kick to the stomach by El Samurai, Irish whip, and he delivers a dropkick. Orihara falls out of the ring and El Samurai goes to do a dive, but Orihara runs out of range so El Samurai thinks better of it and stays in the ring. Orihara gets back on the apron and comes in the ring with a headscissors followed by a dropkick. Another dropkick by Orihara, and El Samurai falls out of the ring. Orihara goes for an Asai Moonsault, El Samurai moves, but Orihara lands on his feet. Both wrestlers roll back into the ring, takedown by El Samurai and he tags in Iizuka. Iizuka picks up Orihara and slams him in front of his corner and challenges Kitahara to tag in. Kitahara takes the challenge, tie-up, side headlock by Iizuka, but Kitahara Irish whips out of it. Shoulderblock by Iizuka, but Kitahara quickly gets back to his feet. Side headlock by Kitahara and he pushes Iizuka to the mat. Back up, single leg takedown by Iizuka and he goes for the keylock, but Kitahara struggles to his feet and pushes Iizuka into his corner so he can tag in Orihara. Chops in the corner by Orihara but Iizuka chops him back and tags in Nogami. Kicks in the corner by Nogami, he puts Orihara's leg against the second rope and jumps down onto it. Stomps to the leg by Nogami, scoop slam in front of the corner, he goes up top and hits a knee drop onto his injured leg. Nogami tags in El Samurai, who stomps Orihara in his leg some more. El Samurai drags Orihara to his corner and tags in Iizuka, and they slam both of Orihara's legs into the mat. Iizuka picks up Orihara and hits a snap suplex before applying a knee lock. Orihara wiggles to the ropes however and forces the break, but Iizuka continues stomping on his leg. Single leg crab hold by Iizuka and he tags in Nogami. Iizuka picks up Orihara, Irish whip, and he hits a back bodydrop. Single leg crab hold by Nogami but Kitahara breaks it up with a kick to the chest. Nogami fights back and all six men brawl in the ring. They finally get separated and Nogami tags in El Samurai. Scoop slam by El Samurai and he delivers a leg drop, cover, but it gets a two count. Irish whip by El Samurai but Orihara avoids the dropkick attempt. Snapmare by Orihara and he makes the tag to Hirai.

Hirai picks up El Samurai, Irish whip, and he hits a dropkick. Irish whip again and Hirai delivers a second dropkick. Vertical suplex by Hirai, cover, but it gets a two count. El Samurai fights back with a few punches and tags in Iizuka, and Iizuka chops Hirai against the ropes. Irish whip by Iizuka and he hits a dropkick, he picks Hirai back up and delivers a sidewalk slam. Cover, but Hirai kicks out. Iizuka picks up Hirai, snapmare, and he applies the Scorpion Deathlock. Orihara breaks it up after a moment, Iizuka grabs Hirai and hits a vertical suplex for a two count cover. Iizuka picks up Hirai and makes the tag to Nogami, Nogami goes up to the top turnbuckle and hits a missile dropkick. Stomps by Nogami and he hits a scoop slam followed by a leg drop. Cover, but it gets a two count. Irish whip by Nogami to the corner but Hirai kicks him and tags in Orihara. Dropkick by Orihara but Nogami manages to tag in El Samurai. El Samurai picks up Orihara and delivers a piledriver, he picks Orihara back up and puts him onto the top turnbuckle. El Samurai joins him and hits a suplex off the second rope, tombstone by El Samurai, and he goes up to the top turnbuckle. El Samurai delivers the diving headbutt, cover, but Orihara barely kicks out. Back up, El Samurai hits a second piledriver, cover, but Kitahara breaks it up. El Samurai and Kitahara start trading shots, but Orihara comes up from behind and tags in Hirai. Dropkick by Hirai but El Samurai avoids the second and tag sin Nogami after slamming Hirai. Musasabi Press by Nogami, cover, but it is broken up. Hirai tags in Kitahara, dropkick by Nogami to Kitahara but Kitahara moves out of the way of the second attempt. Kicks to the chest by Kitahara and he hits a German suplex hold, but it gets a two count. Kitahara picks up Nogami but Nogami slides down his back and hits an enzigieri. Nogami tags in Iizuka, who gives a dropkick to all of his opponents. Kitahara knocks him down however, and both Hirai and Orihara hit assisted sentons. Orihara stays in the ring, Irish whip, but Iizuka gains the advantage and delivers a powerbomb for a two count. Iizuka covers Orihara again, but Hirai breaks it up. Kitahara comes in the ring and throws out Iizuka, as they seem to be confused since Orihara is apparently knocked out cold. While they brawl, Iizuka covers Orihara and picks up the three count! Your winners: El Samurai, Iizuka, and Akira Nogami

Match Thoughts: Yea, that powerbomb clearly knocked out Orihara. Twice Iizuka covered him and he had to be saved, and after a quick referee check they went straight to the ending. Poor little Orihara. Other then that it was a fine cross-promotional match, although I do wish that Kitahara could have done more as in the last review I did he was beating the hell out of his opponent as if he was his bitch. But the wrestlers clicked pretty well and the early leg work was better then most in six man tags. Very good opener. Score: 6.0

Koshinaka, Great Kabuki, Aoyagi, and A. Saito vs. Super Strong Machine, H. Saito, Goto, and Honaga
They brawl to start, as they battle both in the ring and out of it. Finally things calm down and we get Goto battling Aoyagi. Aoyagi is worked over in the corner as Goto tags in Honaga. Honaga picks up Aoyagi and runs his face against the top rope. Punches by Honaga and he tags in Hiro Saito. Hiro Saito slams Aoyagi to the mat but Aoyagi fights back with kicks to the chest. Hiro Saito catches one though and tags in Strong Machine. Stomp to the chest by Strong Machine but Aoyagi gets back to his feet. Back kick by Aoyagi and he tags in Akitoshi Saito. Strong Machine ducks a Akitoshi Saito enzigieri and connects with a headbutt, Irish whip to the corner and he delivers a lariat. Snapmare by Strong Machine in front of the corner and he tags in Honaga. Standing dropkick by Honaga and he trips up Akitoshi Saito so that he can tag in Goto. Stomps by Goto and Honaga on Akitoshi Saito, Irish whip by Goto and he delivers a lariat. Cover by Goto but it gets a two count. Akitoshi Saito fights back with a series of kicks, but he lands in the wrong corner and he is overwhelmed. Goto tags in Hiro Saito but Akitoshi Saito knocks him back and makes the tag to Koshinaka. Irish whip by Koshinaka to Hiro Saito and he delivers a hip attack. Hiro Saito grabs his leg however and pushes him into his corner so that Honaga can wrap his leg around the ring post. Strong Machine is tagged in, Strong Machine picks up Koshinaka and throws him into the corner. Irish whip by Strong Machine but Koshinaka blocks the lariat attempt. Koshinaka grabs Strong Machine and makes the tag to Kabuki, Kabuki picks up Strong Machine and the two trade blows. Kabuki kicks Strong Machine into the corner, Irish whip by Kabuki and he delivers a lariat. Strong Machine lands in his corner however and tags in Goto, Goto goes for a suplex but Kabuki reverses into one of his own and covers for a two count. Goto tags in Honaga, Honaga picks up Kabuki but Kabuki hits a series of throat thrusts and tags in Akitoshi Saito. Heel kick by Akitoshi Saito and he kicks Honaga in the chest. Punches by Akitoshi Saito in the corner and he tags in Aoyagi. Kick by Aoyagi in the corner but Honaga fights back and hits a backdrop suplex. Honaga tags in Hiro Saito, who hits a senton. Cover, but it gets a two count. Hiro Saito picks up Aoyagi and hits a DDT, but Aoyagi is up quickly and kicks Hiro Saito in the face. Kicks to the chest by Aoyagi and he tags in Koshinaka. Koshinaka picks up Hiro Saito and throws him into the corner, bulldog by Koshinaka, cover, but it gets a one count. Koshinaka applies a reverse chinlock and tags in Kabuki. Kick to the ribs by Kabuki but Hiro Saito gets him into his corner corner and tags in Strong Machine.

Strong Machine picks up Kabuki and hits a headbutt, he applies an armbar but Akitoshi Saito breaks it up. Strong Machine tags in Honaga, Honaga applies an armbar also before kneeing Kabuki in the arm. Honaga tags in Goto, who stomps Kabuki in the arm. Goto applies the armbar but he lets go when Aoyagi charges the ring. Wristlock by Goto but Kabuki escapes and tags in Aoyagi. Aoyagi kicks Goto back into the corner, but Goto trips Aoyagi to the mat. Goto picks up Aoyagi and hits a backdrop suplex, he tags in Hiro Saito, who hits a jawbreaker. Hiro Saito slams Aoyagi in front of the corner but Aoyagi rolls out of the way of the senton attempt and tags in Akitoshi Saito. Kicks to the chest by Akitoshi Saito and he connects with a heel kick. Saito tags in Aoyagi, and both he and Saito kick Hiro Saito in the chest. Irish whip by Aoyagi and he and Akitoshi Saito connect with a double team move. Aoyagi stays in the ring but Strong Machine hits him from behind and then Strong Machine as well as all his partners hit running strikes on Aoyagi in the corner. Irish whip by Hiro Saito and with Honaga he hits an assisted powerbomb. Cover, but it is broken up. Strong Machine goes up to the top turnbuckle and delivers a diving headbutt, cover, but it gets a two count. Strong Machine picks up Aoyagi, scoop slam, and he hits a senton. Cover but Koshinaka is in the ring and hits Strong Machine with a hip attack. Strong Machine tags in Honaga but Aoyagi makes the tag to Koshinaka. Irish whip by Koshinaka onto Honaga and he hits the hip attack. Koshinaka goes off the ropes and goes for another one, Honaga ducks it and holds Koshinaka for Goto, but Koshinaka ducks and Goto lariats Honaga on accident. Koshinaka picks up Honaga, scoop slam, cover, Strong Machine jumps off the top turnbuckle in an attempt to break it up but Koshinaka moves and Strong Machine lands on Honaga. Koshinaka tags in Kabuki, Irish whip by Kabuki, reversed, but Kabuki nails the savate kick. Lariat by Kabuki, he picks up Honaga and delivers the backdrop suplex. Cover, and he picks up the three count! Your winners: Koshinaka, Great Kabuki, Aoyagi, and A. Saito

Match Thoughts: Every New Japan event from 1991 to 1996 had a match like this. I don't know why. Its the longest running lower mid-card feud in the history of wrestling. Not my favorite match as its just random attacks and tagging until it suddenly ends, but it could be worse. Score: 4.0

(c) Ultimo Dragon vs. Jushin Thunder Liger
This match is for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship. Waistlock by Liger to start, reversed by Ultimo Dragon and they trade submission attempts. Wristlock by Ultimo Dragon, Liger rolls out of it and reverses it but Ultimo Dragon hits an arm drag. Back up they trade arm drags, both wrestlers go for dropkicks and they are back up facing off again. Single leg takedown by Liger, Ultimo Dragon tries to reverse it into a cross armbreaker but Liger rolls out of it and applies a facelock. Ultimo Dragon gets out of that and applies a knee lock, after a moment he gets back up, Irish whip, and he shoulderblocks Liger to the mat. Knee lock by Ultimo Dragon but Liger reverses it and applies a knee lock of his own. While keeping a hold on Ultimo Dragon's legs, Liger applies a front facelock but he releases the hold after a moment and stomps Ultimo Dragon in the leg. Back up, Irish whip by Liger and he dropkicks Ultimo Dragon in the knee. Liger drags Ultimo Dragon back to the middle of the ring and goes for a leg submission, but Ultimo Dragon pushes him back and begins twisting on Liger's bad leg. Bow and arrow by Ultimo Dragon and he applies a front facelock while keeping the move applied. he picks up Liger, Irish whip, drop toehold, and continues working over Liger's leg. Muta Lock by Ultimo Dragon, he lets go of it and applies the Mexican Surfboard. Ultimo Dragon tosses Liger off, snapmare and he applies a headscissors hold. Liger gets out of it however, he gets behind Ultimo Dragon and applies the Romero Special. Liger lets go after a moment, Irish whip by Liger and he delivers a spinning backbreaker. Cover, but it gets a two count. Snapmare by Liger and he applies a reverse chinlock into a headscissors. Ultimo Dragon rolls to the ropes to break the hold, chops by Liger into the corner, Irish whip, and he nails the Liger Kick. Liger picks up Ultimo Dragon and nails a series of palm strikes, sending Ultimo Dragon back down to the mat. Liger picks up Ultimo Dragon again, Irish whip, but Ultimo Dragon hits a headscissors. Liger goes for a headbutt but Ultimo Dragon cartwheels out of the way. Ultimo Dragon waits for Liger to get up before kicking him in the chest. Ultimo Dragon picks up Liger and hits a front suplex, he goes over to Liger's feet and puts him in a modified Romero Special/Dragon Sleeper. Liger pushes out of the hold, but Ultimo Dragon quickly applies the Camel Clutch. Ultimo Dragon releases the hold and elbows Liger in the back, he picks him up and slams him in front of the corner. Ultimo Dragon goes up to the top turnbuckle but Liger recovers and joins him. Ultimo Dragon pushes him back however and jumps off, kicking Liger in the chest. A cartwheel elbow smash sends Liger out of the ring, Ultimo Dragon goes up to the top turnbuckle and sails out onto Liger with a plancha splash over the guardrail and into the tables, killing both of them in the process.

Both wrestlers get up real slow, but Ultimo Dragon gets to his feet first and makes his way back to the ring. Liger slowly follows, Ultimo Dragon grabs Liger as he gets on the apron and suplexes him back into the ring. Cover, but it gets a two count. Ultimo Dragon picks up Liger and goes for a tombstone, Liger reverses it, but Ultimo Dragon switches it back and hits the tombstone piledriver. Ultimo Dragon goes up to the top turnbuckle and trips as he jumps off, but still manages to hit a headbutt. Irish whip by Ultimo Dragon and he hits a bridged fallaway slam for a two count. Irish whip by Ultimo Dragon to the corner but Liger rebounds out of the corner and rolls up Ultimo Dragon for a two count. Ultimo Dragon returns the favor by school boying Liger, but he also gets a two count. Aztec Suplex by Ultimo Dragon, but Liger barely gets a foot on the ropes. Ultimo Dragon picks up Liger, Irish whip, but Liger hits a Liger Kick which sends Ultimo Dragon out of the ring. Liger quickly joins him outside the ring and powerbombs him onto the floor. Liger then gets up on the top turnbuckle and delivers a rolling senton atomico to the floor. Liger gets back in the ring quickly and Ultimo Dragon slowly follows, and Liger hits a release German suplex. Cocky pin, and it only gets a two count. Liger picks up Ultimo Dragon and nails a shotei, and Liger applies a single leg crab hold. Ultimo Dragon gets to the rope to force the break, Liger picks up Ultimo Dragon and drops him on his head with a powerbomb. Liger goes up to the top turnbuckle but Ultimo Dragon clubs him in the face as he jumps off. Liger rolls out of the ring, Ultimo Dragon goes out to the apron and delivers a corkscrew Asai Moonsault, sending both of them crashing into the guard rail. Both wrestlers slowly get back into the ring, Ultimo Dragon jumps onto Liger's shoulders but Liger throws him off. Liger picks up Ultimo Dragon and goes for a powerbomb, but Ultimo Dragon reverses it with a Frankensteiner for a two count. Ultimo Dragon goes off the ropes and hits a quebrada, he picks up Liger and hits a sit-down powerbomb. Cover, but Liger gets a shoulder up. Ultimo Dragon picks up Liger, Irish whip, drop toehold by Ultimo Dragon and he applies La Magistral but it only gets a two count. Ultimo Dragon gets Liger to his feet, scoop slam in front of the corner, and he climbs up top. Liger recovers however and joins him, and he hits an Avalanche DDT. Cover by Liger, but Ultimo Dragon kicks out at two. Liger Bomb by Liger, he picks up Ultimo Dragon and puts him onto the top turnbuckle. Liger joins him and delivers the Avalanche Frankensteiner, cover, and he picks up the three count! Your winner and new champion: Jushin Thunder Liger

Match Thoughts: Not one for the ages, but a good match that shows how the style of New Japan Jr. Heavyweight matches has changed since the early 90s. Liger was still more of a high flyer in 1993 as this was before his ankle surgery, and Ultimo Dragon was still honing his craft as he transferred from a more Lucha Libre style to a New Japan style. Ultimo Dragon didn't show his normal crisp wrestling here, as he made a few mis-steps that briefly took the crowd out of it. Some of the dives out of the ring were nuts, and I am sure they were sore the next day. It started slow, but they got into it the last five minutes or so and it was hot the rest of the way. Liger was on-point here and helped hold the match together. Overall it was a solid match with some great spots, but they would have better matches later. Score: 6.5

Ron Simmons vs. Tony Halme
They circle each other to start, tie-up, side headlock by Simmons, Halme Irish whips out of it and the two collide with no result. Simmons goes off the ropes and runs into Halme, but the same thing happens. Both wrestlers go off the ropes but Simmons hits a drop toehold. Simmons waits for Halme to get up and delivers a lariat, Irish whip attempt to the corner, reversed, but Simmons elbows Halme when he charges in and then hits a face crusher. Irish whip by Simmons, reversed, but Simmons avoids the back bodydrop and nails a piledriver for a two count. Irish whip by Simmons, reversed, Simmons ducks an Halme elbow and goes for a shoulder block, but Halme elbows him in the stomach. Punches in the corner by Halme, Irish whip, and Halme hits a body press in the corner. Lariat by Halme, he goes off the ropes and hits an elbow drop. Cover, but it gets a two count. Halme picks up Simmons, Irish whip, and he hits a sidewalk slam. Cover, but Simmons gets a shoulder up. Halme picks up Simmons and headbutts him against the ropes, Irish whip, and Halme delivers a spinebuster. Cover, but again Simmons kicks out. Halme goes for a punch, Simmons blocks it and kicks him, but Halme kicks Simmons through the ropes and down to the floor. Simmons returns to the apron and shoulderblocks Halme through the ropes, he tries to suplex Halme out of the ring, but Halme reverses it and suplexes Simmons back in the ring instead. Punches by Halme as Simmons is against the ropes, Irish whip, and he hits a powerslam. Cover, but it gets a two count. Halme picks up Simmons, Irish whip, reversed, and Simmons delivers a powerslam. Cover, but Halme gets a shoulder up. Inside cradle by Simmons, but again he only gets a two. Irish whip by Simmons, reversed, Halme ducks his head but Simmons again rolls him up for a near three count. Halme goes for a haymaker, but Simmons ducks and hits a spinebuster. Cover, and he picks up the three count! Your winner: Ron Simmons

Match Thoughts: I am going to be the first (and probably last) person to say that Halme wasn't bad. He was a perfectly acceptable big man muscle wrestler. He didn't seem awkward in the ring and hits his power moves well, but he wasn't too big that he couldn't take other moves (such as the piledriver). And just as an aside comment, it should also be noted that just days earlier, Simmons had lost the WCW Heavyweight Championship to Vader. With that out of the way, this match actually wasn't going too bad until the sudden ending. It didn't make a lot of sense that Simmons tried two flash pins, and then won with a spinebuster even though Halme (who should be hard to put away) really wasn't that hurt. So that kind of took the air out of it, as up to that point they were having a fine big man vs. big man match. So all things considered it wasn't good, but its not as bad as you might think it is. Score: 4.5

Hiroshi Hase vs. Sting Tie-up to start, Irish whip by Hase but Sting shoulder blocks him down. Sting picks up Hase and gives him a military press slam after pressing Hase over his head several times. Sting picks up Hase again, Irish whip, and he delivers a dropkick. A second dropkick by Sting and he celebrates in the ring while Hase rolls out to re-group. Hase returns after a moment, tie-up, kick to the stomach by Hase and he hits a series of chops. Side headlock by Hase, Sting Irish whips out of it and they collide with neither man going down. Hase goes off the ropes and both wrestlers go for dropkicks. Front slam by Hase and he applies a single leg crab hold. He then reverts the hold into a Muta Lock but releases it after a moment and goes for a Scorpion Deathlock, but Sting punches his way out of it. Back up, kicks to the leg by Sting but Sting kicks him back. More kicks by Hase, he grabs Sting's legs and drags him to the middle of the ring before applying a crab hold. After a moment Hase picks up Sting and hits a kneebreaker before re-applying the single leg crab hold. Back up, Hase chops Sting into the corner but Sting punches him back and kicks him in the stomach. Vertical suplex by Sting, cover, but it gets a two count. Irish whip by Sting, reversed, and Hase delivers a side Russian leg sweep. Hase picks up Sting and gets him on his shoulders before dropping him throat-first onto the top rope. Throat thrust by Hase and he delivers a neckbreaker. Cover, but Sting kicks out at two. Hase picks up Sting and delivers a stalled piledriver, he then goes up to the top turnbuckle and drops the knee onto Sting's chest. Cover, but it only gets a two count. Back up, Irish whip by Hase and he applies the Sleeper Hold. He turns it into a choke after a moment however and the referee forces a break.

Hase takes Sting out of the ring with him and elbows him in the back of the head. Hase drapes Sting over the railing and elbows him in the chest before rolling him back into the ring. Hase picks up Sting and hits the uranage, he immediately gets Sting back up and nails a second one. Cover, but it gets a two count. German suplex hold by Hase, but Sting gets a shoulder up. Hase picks up Sting and goes for the dragon suplex, but Sting blocks it and sends them both out of the ring by diving between the ropes. On the outside, scoop slam by Sting and he puts Hase's neck over the railing before clubbing him in the back of the head. Sting then picks up Hase and drops him onto the railing before finally sliding him back into the ring. Sting goes up to the top turnbuckle but when he jumps off his stomach falls onto Hase's knee and both wrestlers are slow to get up. Chops in the corner by Hase but Sting begins absorbing the blows. Irish whip by Hase, reversed, and Sting hits an elbow in the corner followed by a face crusher. A second face crusher by Sting, cover, but it gets a two count. Sting picks up Hase and applies the Canadian Backbreaker, but Hase gets out of it. Hase goes for a backslide but Sting kicks off the ropes to go over him. Sting then runs up in the corner and jumps backwards, going back-first into Hase. Cover, but it gets a two count. Sting picks up Hase and hits a German suplex hold, but Hase gets a shoulder up. Sting waits for Hase to get up and goes for a lariat, but Hase rolls him up for a two count cover. Lariat by Sting, cover, but it gets two. Sting waits for Hase to get up, Hase blocks an elbow and goes for a uranage, but Sting blocks it and hits a DDT. Scoop slam by Sting in front of the corner, and he goes up to the top turnbuckle. Diving body press by Sting, cover, and he picks up the three count! Your winner: Sting

Match Thoughts: It should be noted that the crowd loves them some Sting. This was a very good match... not great, but entertaining. Regardless of what some people might think, Sting was one of the top stars of the 90s and watching him in Japan is always a treat. They had a few miscommunications but for the most part they were very fluid. Hase's strategy was a bit confusing though as he went from working the leg to working on the neck, and I think that hurt the overall flow of the match as the direction kept on changing. Sting was consistent however as he went for Hase's upper body, which helped set up the diving body press. I was hoping for better since I like Sting and Hase quite a bit, but what we got was a solid mid-card match. Score: 6.5

Masa Saito and Shinya Hashimoto vs. Scott Norton and Dustin RhodesHashimoto and Norton start things off. Hashimoto kicks Norton but he absorbs the blow. A 2nd and 3rd kick have the same result, Norton ducks a heel kick and knocks down Hashimoto with a lariat. Irish whip by Norton and he delivers a shoulder block. Irish whip again, Hashimoto ducks the lariat but Norton knocks him over. Norton goes off the ropes but Hashimoto hits a back bodydrop followed by a heel kick for a two count cover. Chop by Hashimoto, but Norton comes back with his own chop and the two trade blows. Norton gets the better of it, cover, but it gets a two count. Norton picks up Hashimoto and tags in Rhodes, punches and elbows by Rhodes but Hashimoto chops him in the throat. Rhodes comes back with an elbow but Hashimoto makes the tag to Saito. Saito and Rhodes circle each other, Saito gets Rhodes into the corner and delivers a series of chops. Rhodes hits an elbow, Irish whip to Saito and he delivers a back elbow. Vertical suplex by Rhodes, cover, but it gets a two count. Rhodes picks up Saito and punches him against the ropes, Rhodes goes off the far ropes but Saito moves when Rhodes charges him and Rhodes goes over the top rope onto the ramp. Rhodes recovers after a moment, kicks to the stomach by Saito, Irish whip, but Rhodes goes over his back when Saito ducks his head down. Chops by Rhodes and he makes the tag to Norton. Norton picks up Saito and throws him into the corner, Irish whip, reversed, and Saito hits a lariat to the back of the head. Lariat by Saito, but Norton doesn't go down. Saito goes off the ropes again, but this time Norton catches him with a lariat. Irish whip by Norton, Saito ducks the elbow but the big boot and lariat don't miss and Saito falls back to the mat. Headbutts and chops by Norton but Saito gets back to his feet. Irish whip by Norton and he chops down Saito. Norton picks up Saito but Saito ducks a punch and hits a backdrop suplex. Rhodes runs in but he eats a backdrop suplex as well. This gives Norton time to recover however and he knocks Saito to the mat before tagging in Rhodes. Rhodes punches Saito but Saito makes the tag to Hashimoto. Kick to the stomach by Hashimoto and he hits a suplex followed by a jumping elbow drop. Cover, but it gets a two count. Chops by Hashimoto but Rhodes comes back with a series of elbows and a double fisted punch. Cover, but it gets a two count. Reverse chinlock by Rhodes and he makes the tag to Norton.

Elbow to the arm by Norton, he picks up Hashimoto and puts him onto the top turnbuckle. Norton climbs up with him and hits a superplex before stepping over him with his foot on Hashimoto's throat. Elbow drop by Norton, he picks up Hashimoto and hits a neckbreaker. Norton picks up Hashimoto and delivers a lariat, headbutt by Norton and he knocks Hashimoto into the corner. Norton tags in Rhodes, Irish whip by Rhodes and he connects with the big boot. Cover, but it gets a two count. Rhodes drops a few elbows on Hashimoto, cover, but again it gets a two. Rhodes picks up Hashimoto and throws him out of the ring before joining him, and Rhodes Irish whips Hashimoto towards Norton who delivers a lariat. Saito runs over to help Hashimoto up off the ground, but the referee tells him to get back. Rhodes grabs Hashimoto up onto the apron and back into the ring before nailing a DDT. Rhodes tags in Norton, Norton picks up Hashimoto, Irish whip, and Norton hits a powerslam. Cover, but Saito breaks it up. Powerbomb by Norton onto Hashimoto, cover, but again Saito breaks it up. Irish whip by Norton to the corner but Hashimoto moves when he charges in and hits a DDT. This gives him time to tag in Saito, Saito waits for Norton to get up and hits a series of chops. Backdrop suplex by Saito, he picks up Norton and hits a second one. Cover, but Rhodes breaks it up. Back up, Irish whip by Norton but Saito ducks the lariat. Powerslam by Norton, cover, but Hashimoto breaks it up. Norton tags in Rhodes, Rhodes picks up Saito, Irish whip, and he delivers a flying lariat. Cover, but it gets a two count. Backdrop suplex by Saito and he makes the tag to Hashimoto. Dropkick by Rhodes onto Hashimoto and he punches him into the corner. Irish whip by Rhodes but Hashimoto moves when he charges in and forearms him to the mat. Kicks to the chest by Hashimoto, he goes off the ropes and connects on the heel kick. Cover, but it gets a two count. Back up, lariat by Hashimoto, cover, but Norton breaks it up. Saito comes in to take care of Norton, Hashimoto waits for Rhodes to get up and hits a jumping DDT, cover, but Norton barely breaks it up in time. Hashimoto again waits for Rhodes to get up and this time nails an enzigieri, cover, and he picks up the three count! Your winners: Masa Saito and Shinya Hashimoto

Match Thoughts: One of the reasons I enjoy watching American wrestlers in Japan is to see how they adapt. Rhodes didn't do poorly, but there were clearly a few miscommunications and Hashimoto was treating him with kid gloves by really not hitting any of his moves stiffly. Besides my enjoyment watching Rhodes this wasn't a very good match. The middle was incredibly slow and the transitions were terrible, so they were not able to get any type of story or rhythm going whatsoever. I was surprised that Hashimoto was the whipping boy but Norton pretty much had his way with him, which helps set up their feud years later over the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Overall the match was too long and too slow with no real bright points, except watching a young Rhodes trying to wrestle out of his normal element. Score: 4.0

(c) Great Muta vs. (c) Masahiro ChonoThis match is for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (held by Great Muta) and the NWA Heavyweight Championship (held by Masahiro Chono). Tie-up to start, Chono gets Muta into the ropes but he gives a clean break. They circle each other, tie-up, Muta goes for the arm but Chono applies a hammerlock. Muta pushes Chono back into the corner and connects with a backflip kick. Back in the middle of the ring, tie-up, side headlock by Muta and he hits a side headlock takedown. Chono reverses it with a headscissors and Muta rolls out of the ring to re-group. Back in the ring, side headlock by Muta, Chono Irish whips out of it but Muta shoulder blocks him down. Muta goes off the ropes and rolls under a Chono kick before connecting with a dropkick. Side headlock takedown by Muta and he keeps the hold applies, Chono Irish whips out of it but Muta shoulder blocks him down. Muta goes off the ropes but Chono catches him with a samoan drop. Chono goes off the ropes and connects with a Yakuza Kick, and Muta rolls out of the ring. After a moment he returns to the ring, kicks by Muta, snapmare, he goes off the ropes and hits the Flash Elbow. Muta gets onto Chono's back and goes for the cross armbreaker, but Chono reverses it into a knee lock. Back up, kicks to the leg by Chono and they go into a Test of Strength. Takedown by Chono and he applies a leg lock. After a moment Muta makes it to the ropes and Chono has to break. Muta kicks Chono in the ribs and tosses him out of the ring. Muta joins him and throws Chono into the guard rail before sliding him back into the ring. Muta goes up to the top turnbuckle and delivers a diving chop to the head. Muta throws Chono out onto the ramp and goes out after him, he goes off the ropes and hits a face crusher on the ramp. He then walks most of the way up the ramp before running back and nailing Chono with a lariat, sending himself crashing into the ropes in the process. Muta rolls into the ring and waits for Chono, but Chono punches him before he gets in the ring and goes up to the top turnbuckle. Muta recovers and joins him however, hitting a superplex down to the mat. Muta picks up Chono and hits a backdrop suplex, cover, but it gets a two count. Muta picks up Chono and delivers a German suplex hold, but again Chono gets a shoulder up.

Chono slowly gets up in the corner and Muta comes in with a cartwheel back elbow smash. He then goes up top and goes for a moonsault, but Chono moves out of the way and slaps on the STF! Muta crawls to the ropes however and forces the break. Chono goes off the ropes and hits a Yakuza Kick, but Muta comes back with a dropkick and both men are slow to get up. Chono recovers first and hits a second Yakuza Kick, but again Muta returns with a dropkick. Chono goes off the ropes a third time with a Yakuza Kick, but once again Muta fires back with a dropkick. Chono is up first and hits a fourth kick to the head, Muta is momentarily hurt but he still manages to snap off a dropkick. Off the ropes again goes Chono with a Yakuza Kick and he hits a second one, sending Muta out onto the apron by the ramp. Chono approaches Muta and tries to suplex him back into the ring, but Muta reverses it and suplexes him onto the ramp. Muta picks up Chono and puts him against the ropes to go for his cartwheel back elbow, but Chono moves and Muta crashes hard on the edge of the apron. Chono picks up Muta and hits a backdrop suplex on the ramp. Chono gets back into the ring and waits for Muta, but Muta recovers quickly and dives over the top rope back into the ring with an elbow smash onto Chono. Muta is up first and goes for a suplex, but Chono lands on his feet and rolls him up for a two count. Chono goes up to the top turnbuckle, he waits for Muta to get up and hits a diving shoulder block. Cover, but it gets a two count. Chono picks up Muta and nails a powerbomb, cover, but Muta gets a shoulder up. Irish whip by Chono and he hits a second samoan drop. He then slaps on the STF in the middle of the ring, but after a moment Muta reaches the bottom rope. Chono is up first, he picks up Muta, Irish whip, reversed, and Muta delivers a Frankensteiner for a two count. Muta goes up to the top turnbuckle and goes for the moonsault, but Chono gets his knees up and knees Muta right in the face. Chono goes up to the top turnbuckle and goes for a second diving shoulder block, but Muta moves out of the way. Muta picks up Chono, backbreaker, he goes up to the top turnbuckle and nails the moonsault, but Chono kicks out at two! Muta immediately jumps up and climbs the turnbuckles again, a second moonsault, and this time he picks up the victory! Your winner and new NWA Heavyweight Champion: Great Muta

Match Thoughts: A really fun match between two of the greats of New Japan. They used their time (about 20 minutes) just about perfectly as they keep things moving and it seemed to end at just the right time. They did very little submissions that didn't lead to anything and kept it focused on strikes and big moves. This is the first Great Muta match I can remember that he didn't attempt to use any weapons or use the mist during the match, perhaps because it was for the NWA Heavyweight Championship, but it gave the match a different feel. The action on the ramp was perfect as it allowed them to mix it up and also helped explain why they were so hurt later in the match even though they hadn't done a lot of high impact moves up to that point. My only small complaint is that Chono seemed to be in a position where he couldn't win... he had hit the powerbomb and twice had the STF applied in the middle of the ring, but none were successful and in 1993 that was pretty much all he had to put people away. Perhaps a third STF would have done the trick but that would have been a bit excessive. Overall though I really enjoyed the match, the crowd stayed into it throughout and it was entertaining from start to finish. Score: 8.0

(c) The Hell Raisers vs. The Steiner Brothers
This match is for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. Scott and Hawk start things off. Tie-up, Scott gets Hawk into the ropes but he gives a clean break. Tie-up again, again Scott gets Hawk into the ropes but he lets him go. Double leg takedown by Scott, but Hawk grabs the ropes to force a third break. Tie-up, Hawk forces Scott to the mat but Scott bridges up. Chop by Hawk, Irish whip, Scott ducks the lariat and the two collide with neither going down. They both go off the ropes but both hit a lariat, sending both men down. Scott gets up first and throws Hawk to the mat, he picks him Hawk, Irish whip, kick to the stomach by Hawk and he press slams Scott out of the ring. Rick goes over to check on Scott, but Scott gets up on his own and gets back into the ring. Irish whip by Hawk but Scott clubs him in the back and hits a Tiger Driver. Scott picks up Hawk and nails a piledriver, but Hawk pops right back up and lariats Scott out of the ring. Crowd enjoyed that. Scott returns to the ring after a moment and Hawk has tagged in Power Warrior so Scott tags in Rick. Rick and Power Warrior circle each other, knees by Rick and he hits a belly to belly suplex. Rick picks up Power Warrior, scoop slam, he goes up to the second turnbuckle but Power Warrior dropkicks him in the stomach as he jumps off. Lariat by Power Warrior and he hits a release German suplex. Power Warrior goes up to the second rope but Rick catches him when he jumps off and hits an overhead belly to belly suplex. Power Warrior rolls to his corner and tags in Hawk, but Rick tags in Scott. Belly to belly suplex by Scott to Hawk and he applies a crab hold, then Rick comes in and elbows Hawk in the head. Scott applies a modified STF, but Hawk quickly gets to the ropes. Scott picks up Hawk but Hawk hits an enzigieri. Snapmare by Hawk and he applies a reverse chinlock. Hawk picks up Scott and hits a shoulder breaker, cover, but it gets a two count. Scott tags in Rick, and Hawk asks Rick for a Test of Strength. Rick agrees and they go to it, but Hawk gets the better of it. Headbutt and chops by Hawk and he tags in Power Warrior. Double Irish whip to Rick and they deliver a double elbow. Power Warrior picks up Rick, Irish whip, and Power Warrior nails a powerslam. Cover, but Rick gets a shoulder up. Rick hits a quick overhead belly to belly suplex however and makes the tag to Scott. Pumphandle slam by Scott to Power Warrior, he picks up Power Warrior and puts him on his shoulder (Canadian backbreaker-style). He then tags Rick, who comes in the ring off the top rope with an elbow drop to Power Warrior. Cover by Rick but it gets a two count. Rick applies a reverse chinlock, Power Warrior struggles to his feet however and hits a backdrop suplex.

Rick grabs Power Warrior before he can make the tag and tags in his brother Scott. Irish whip by Scott to Power Warrior and he hits a sidewalk slam. Scott picks up Power Warrior and puts him onto the top turnbuckle, he then joins him and hits an avalanche belly to belly suplex. Scott taunts Hawk, he then puts Scott onto his shoulders before tagging in Rick. Rick goes up to the top turnbuckle and they hit the avalanche bulldog, cover, but Hawk breaks it up. Hawk takes swings at Scott and Rick as the referee tries to get him off, which he finally does. Rick puts Power Warrior on his shoulders as Scott stands on the second rope, and Scott clotheslines Power Warrior to the mat. Cover, but again Hawk breaks it up. Rick and Hawk stare at each other before Rick goes back to Power Warrior, stomping him in the back. Irish whip by Rick to Power Warrior but Power Warrior catches his leapfrog attempt and hits a powerslam. This gives him time to tag in Hawk as Rick tags in Scott, kicks and punches by Hawk to both Scott and Rick but Rick catches him from behind. Double Irish whip by Scott and Rick but Hawk runs through their lariat attempt and lariats them both to the mat. Irish whip by Hawk onto Scott and he delivers a flying shoulder block. Irish whip again by Hawk and this time he hits a lariat. Irish whip by Hawk, reversed, and Scott hits a powerslam. Cover, but Hawk kicks out. This brings out Power Warrior and Rick, and Hawk knocks Rick onto the ramp. He joins him, while in the ring Scott Irish whips Power Warrior and hits a perfect Frankensteiner. Cover, but as he has him pinned Hawk comes off the top turnbuckle with a diving lariat onto Scott (Power Warrior wasn't legal anyway). Rick knocks Hawk out of the ring, and in the ring Rick hits Power Warrior with a release German suplex. Apparently rules are out the window. Irish whip by Rick onto Power Warrior, reversed, and Power Warrior hits the Ipponzei. Power Warrior goes outside the ring where Hawk and Scott are fighting, Power Warrior puts Scott onto his shoulders and Hawk hits the Doomsday Device from the apron, sending himself over the railing and Scott crashing into it! Back in the ring, Irish whip by Rick on Power Warrior but Power Warrior delivers a dropkick. Power Warrior lariats Rick out of the ring as Scott and Hawk are counted out, leading to a Double Countout. The Hell Raisers are still your champions.

Match Thoughts: I loved the hell out of this match. The crowd was mad about the double countout, and I understand where they were coming from. It was a title match on their big show, and should have had a conclusion. But they did give us 15 minutes first and the Doomsday Device on the outside was such an awesome and killer looking move that it was understandable that neither man was going to get back up. As for the rest of the match, I just love the no-nonsense power match and this was a perfect example. Very few resting or stalling, these two teams took it to each other with all their big moves. Hawk will always be a favorite of mine as he is great at conveying that raw strength (such as press slamming Scott out of the ring) and his energy keeps the crowd into the match. The ending was a bit disappointing only in that there was no outcome, but it was done as well as it could be and the rest of the match was incredibly fun. Score: 8.0

Takashi Ishikawa vs. Tatsumi Fujinami
This is a New Japan vs. WAR match. Fujinami charges Ishikawa to start the match and punches him back into the ropes. Irish whip by Fujinami and he delivers a dropkick, sending Ishikawa out of the ring. Fujinami then goes off the far ropes and sails out onto Ishikawa with the old man tope suicida, causing the crowd to explode! Back in the ring, punches by Fujinami, Irish whip, reversed, and Ishikawa hits a shoulder block. Fujinami falls out of the ring and Ishikawa follows him out with a pescado. Ishikawa picks up Fujinami and throws him into the guard railing before sliding him back into the ring. Kicks to the face by Ishikawa and they struggle for position. Stomp to the face by Ishikawa and he applies a reverse chinlock. Fujinami struggles to his feet and Irish whips out of it, but Ishikawa shoulder blocks him down. Ishikawa picks up Fujinami and goes for a suplex, but Fujinami goes down his back. Fujinami goes for the sleeper but Ishikawa gets out of it and elbows Fujinami to the mat. Back to the reverse chinlock by Ishikawa, Fujinami again slowly gets to his feet and arm drags out of the hold. Ishikawa goes for the Dragon Sleeper and locks it in, but then reverts it back to the reverse chinlock. Knees to the stomach by Ishikawa and he goes for a suplex, but Fujinami lands on his feet. Ishikawa shakes Fujinami off and goes off the ropes, Fujinami goes for a cross body but Ishikawa catches him and hits a gutbuster. Knee to the stomach by Ishikawa and Fujinami rolls out of the ring. Fujinami returns after a moment, tie-up, but they break. Front chancery by Ishikawa and he gets Fujinami to the mat, but Fujinami rolls out of it and applies the cross armbreaker. Ishikawa blocks the hold as long as he can and eventually gets out of it. Back up, kicks to the leg by Fujinami, Irish whip, and he applies a sleeper hold. Fujinami gets him down with it and applies the Dragon Sleeper, but Ishikawa kicks out of it. Fujinami re-applies it, but again Ishikawa kicks his way out of it and hits a lariat. Cover, but it gets a two count. Ishikawa picks up Fujinami and hits a powerbomb, he drags Fujinami back to his feet and hits a second one for a two count cover. Ishikawa goes up to the top turnbuckle but Fujinami recovers and joins him, hitting a superplex. Both wrestlers are slow to get up and Ishikawa floors Fujinami with a lariat. Ishikawa goes for the Scorpion Deathlock but Fujinami quickly grabs the ropes. Irish whip by Ishikawa but Fujinami blocks the lariat and hits an enzigieri. A second enzigieri by Fujinami and he delivers a third. Dragon Sleeper by Fujinami and Ishikawa is forced to submit! Your winner: Tatsumi Fujinami

Match Thoughts: The crowd was ready to love every minute of this match and while they got their happy ending the lead-up to it was really disappointing. After a really hot start, we then had probably a total of three to four minutes of reverse chinlocks. I understand the need for rest holds, but this was a short-ish hate grudge match and the long pointless rest holds just really slowed things down. They had the crowd regardless, so that wasn't a problem, but the middle portion really dragged as the submission holds meant nothing at all and were applied way too long. I had time to make coffee and still get back before anything had happened. The last few minutes picked back up again and got interesting, but the match to me is mostly a "what could have been" situation as they really wasted an opportunity to put on a memorable match since the crowd was more into this match then just about any other match on the card but weren't given much to react to for the bulk of the match. Score: 5.0

Genichiro Tenryu vs. Riki ChoshuTie-up to start, but they break cleanly. Tie-up again, Tenryu goes for a slam but Choshu pushes him off. Choshu goes for a single leg takedown but Tenryu grabs the ropes and the referee separates them. Tie-up, Choshu pushes Tenryu into the ropes but Tenryu pushes him back and Choshu gives him room to get out of the ropes. Tie-up, they get into the ropes and this time they trade kicks before the referee gets them apart. Another tie-up, Tenryu gets Choshu into the ropes and chops him instead of breaking. Choshu fires back as they get into the corner, side headlock by Tenryu, but Choshu pushes him into the ropes. Tenryu goes for an enzigieri, Choshu side steps it and goes to apply the Scorpion Deathlock, but Tenryu blocks it. Choshu lets go after they get into the ropes again. Back in the middle of the ring, Tenryu takes Choshu down to the mat with a side headlock. Choshu struggles back to his feet and tries to Irish whip out of it, but Tenryu keeps the hold applied. Choshu struggles back up but Tenryu elbows him twice in the head and takes him back to the mat while keeping the hold applied. Choshu finally Irish whips out of it and goes for a lariat, but Tenryu mostly ducks it. Tenryu rolls out of the ring to re-group but returns after a moment. Stomps by Choshu as Tenryu is still near the ropes but the referee gets him back. Knees to the face by Tenryu but Choshu comes back with chops to the chest and headbutts. Choshu gets Tenryu down in the corner and stomps on him as the referee tries to get him back. Chops by Tenryu and he goes for an enzigieri, but Choshu moves out of the way. Stomps by Choshu and he applies a sleeper hold on the mat. Stomp to the shoulder by Choshu, he picks up Tenryu, Irish whip from the corner and he hits a lariat. Choshu throws Tenryu down by this hair, he picks him back up, Irish whip from the corner but this time Tenryu knees him as he charges in and throws him into the corner. Kicks and knees by Tenryu in the corner, Tenryu goes off the ropes and lariats Choshu in the back of the head as he kneels on the mat. Elbow drop by Tenryu, cover, but Choshu gets a foot on the ropes.

Tenryu picks Choshu up off the mat and hits a DDT, cover, but it gets a two count. Scoop slam by Tenryu, he goes up to the top turnbuckle and delivers an elbow drop. Cover, but Choshu gets his shoulder up. Tenryu picks up Choshu but Choshu comes back with a backdrop suplex. Cover, but it gets a two count. Choshu picks up Tenryu and hits a vertical suplex, he goes off the ropes and nails a lariat. Cover, but it only gets a two. Choshu goes off the ropes again and hits another lariat, Tenryu doesn't go down, he hits a second one but Tenryu still stays standing. A third lariat by Choshu does the trick, cover, but Tenryu kicks out. Choshu waits for Tenryu to get up and charges him, but Tenryu hits an enzigieri. Knee drop by Tenryu, he picks up Choshu and goes for a powerbomb, but Choshu reverses it and slams Tenryu to the mat. Cover, but it gets a two count. Tenryu and Choshu both slowly get up, chops by Tenryu and he goes off the ropes, but Choshu catches his knee and goes for the Scorpion Deathlock. Tenryu punches out of it and charges Choshu, but Choshu levels him with a lariat. Choshu goes up to the top turnbuckle but Tenryu recovers and superplexes Choshu to the mat. Cover by Tenryu but it gets a two count. Tenryu goes up to the top turnbuckle and hits an elbow drop to the back of Choshu's head. Tenryu goes off the ropes, Choshu rolls him up but they land in the ropes so no count is administered. Choshu and Tenryu both get up, chops by Tenryu and he goes for a suplex, but Choshu reverses it into a German suplex hold for a two count. Choshu waits for Tenryu to get up and hits a series of headbutts, but Tenryu comes back with chops and the two trade blows. Choshu hits a quick lariat, cover, but Tenryu kicks out. Enzigieri by Tenryu, Choshu struggle back to his feet, Tenryu goes for a powerbomb and after Choshu fights him off he finally gets him up, but as Choshu is still fighting him off he doesn't fully connect with the move. Both wrestlers slowly get up, Tenryu grabs Choshu again and this time drops him with the powerbomb, cover, and he picks up the three count. Your winner: Genichiro Tenryu

Match Thoughts: Not a great match in terms of workrate as they were a bit sloppy at times, but the emotion was there and they didn't have nearly as much dead time as the previous match. They did a really good job of building up their big moves, as Tenryu missed the enzigieri his first few times and it wasn't until near the end that Choshu got a good lariat on Tenryu. The end was pretty slow as instead of climaxing they sort of limped to the conclusion, which I think took a bit of the reaction out of Tenryu defeating Choshu. It was far from perfect, but it was a solid main event that the crowd was extremely into. Score: 6.0

Final Thoughts:

From top to bottom this was a great card by New Japan. It had a lot of variety and two matches that I rate very highly with several others that were also entertaining. There were certainly some duds, but anytime you have a 10 match card not all of them are going to be winners. But whether you like Jr. Heavyweights, slugfests, drama, or just Americans wrestling in Japan then you will find something to enjoy on this event. The WAR vs. New Japan feud was red hot with the crowd, which really enhanced the last two matches, and even though the main event wasn't the best match on the card it was a solid example of New Japan main events during the time period. Pick this up.